Who painted Lucretia?

Lucretia was painted by Giovanni David in 1776.

Where can I see Lucretia?

Lucretia is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Lucretia?

Lucretia is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Lucretia?

Museum-quality prints of Lucretia are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Lucretia

Giovanni David , 1776

Lucretia is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Giovanni David. It dates from 1776 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:in plate, below image, at left: David Gen.Inv. f.; in plate, below image, at center: Lucrezia; by later hand, lower left of mount in brown ink: gravé par Giovanni David / voir Ch. Le Blanc tome 2 page 99

About this work

Overview

Lucretia is a print created by Giovanni David around 1776, utilizing etching and aquatint techniques on laid paper. It is part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a woman, identified as Lucretia, reclining on a couch with her body turned away and her face obscured. Her tense, draped pose, accompanied by a dagger in one hand, alludes to the ancient Roman legend of Lucretia, which symbolizes betrayal, sacrifice, and tragic fate.

Technique & Style

David employed innovative techniques for his time, combining etching and aquatint to achieve soft, expressive shading and dramatic lighting effects, lending the scene a near-three-dimensional depth.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1776, the work's provenance prior to its acquisition by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, is not detailed here.

Context

The subject matter aligns with 18th-century artistic interests in classical themes and emotional intensity, while the technical approach reflects the period's advancements in printmaking.